The past few weeks have been chock-full of reminders that the Toddler is indeed growing up, despite my fervent attempts to keep her little forever. I've tried depriving her of food. I've tried cramming her into clothes that are far too small. I've even tried shoving down on her head in an effort to make her shrink. It's a no go--she is growing up.

First there was the information from daycare about the Gym Bus. Apparently my little one is big enough to participate in the insanity that is many kids crammed onto a little bus jumping and bouncing off the walls. While I hope the adults who run it wear helmets, full body armor, and ear plugs to protect themselves from the kids, I think they might want to invest in some extra protection from me. I want to kick somebody in the boy bits for implying that the kid is old enough for organized crime in the form of gymnastics classes.

Another reminder came last weekend on the day that we tried a few pair of Dora underwear on for size. While we had to suspend potty-training activities due to a bout of (still going on DAMMITTOACHEEDOUBLEHOCKEYSTICKS) diarrhea, seeing her little tushy waddle around in so-called big girl undies put a little lump in my throat.

Every day there are verbal reminders that she's growing up as she is moving closer and closer to becoming a master of the English language and is gradually losing her grasp of Toddlerese. I very nearly shed a tear when I heard her pronounce "yellow" with a "y" at the front instead of using "l" as is her tradition. Thank ye gods of Mommy Sanity that it was just a one time occurrence, because I am not ready to give up the lellow.

And then there was this:

And I think I might cry. CRY. Bawl like a baby. Have a nervous breakdown. Cry a river, build a bridge, and refuse to get over it. Why?

This:

Go back to the first photo and take a close look at Baby Shell (the doll). Notice her pants? Now look at the itty bitty Alexis photo again. SAME PANTS.

Good grief. There's not enough fabric in those pants to cover one of the Toddler's legs.

Excuse me while I go curl up in the corner and cry uncontrollably for the next few days.